Humor, whisky and silly putty: ingredients of the Van 't Hoff lecture 2022, by Prof. Jonathan Coleman
Prof. Jonathan Coleman is considered one of the most impactful European researchers in the area of graphene and two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials. He has made a truly engaging presentation at the van’t Hoff lecture about these promising materials. 2D nanomaterials are atomically thin, flake-like nanoparticles that hold promise in many new technologies, ranging from catalysis and biosensors to hydrogen production and the manufacturing of high-performance plastics.
In the lecture Prof. Coleman described in extremely simple terms how these materials can be produced on the very large scales required by applications using a technique he developed, liquid-phase exfoliation. And has described some key applications developed in his lab in the area of printed electronics and strain sensing.
What was unique about his presentation is that Jonathan demonstrated that other than exotic and exclusive, 2D nanomaterials technologies are very approachable using very simple devices and processes, key features for technological translation. At one point during the lecture, after noticing that from chemical considerations a mixture of 40% alcohol and 60% water would be ideal for exfoliation of 2D materials, he told the audience a story of how he used Irish whiskey (Jonatan is Irish) as solvent to exfoliate graphene, and it worked!
TU Delft is truly interested in using 2D nanomaterials on large scale applications, for instance to solve our energy problems. So explaining the science behind the use of simple exfoliation methods has impressed the audience for the methods’ wide applicability to consumer products and industrial processes. The science was beautiful and explained with focus. Balancing scientific results with applications, Jonathan was able to make the process of discovery relatable by anyone not working in his field, with a presentation that has made the audience both laughing as well as taking notes.
Many in the audience will have gone home with the picture of the dreamy eyes of the speaker’s young son holding a piece of silly putty - a popular toy - made conductive by the use of graphene.
The scientific status of Prof. Jonathan Coleman in his community is enormous. Despite this, he has been approachable for anyone - including students and curious by-passers - at the meals that followed the seminar. The sign of an excellent scientist that is also an excellent human being.
Lecture about: Liquid processing of 2D materials for device applications: Making useful stuff using kitchen blenders and pencils
Took place on: Thursday June 30, 2022 at Aula TU Delft
Photo's: Guus Schoonewille